Making Rank - John Paul Schwartzman

John Paul Schwartzman of Hampton, an ROTC cadet at Christopher Newport College, is really following family tradition by seeking a military career.

The son of retired Army Col. Jack Schwartzman, John's three brothers also went through college ROTC units and are officers in the armed services.

The latest Schwartzman to head for the military, he was commissioned a second lieutentant by his father during recent CNC ceremonies. His whole family, including his mother, Elizabeth, was there to see the commissioning.

"My entire family has participted in the military," he says. His brothers include: Lt. Col. Charles John Schwartzman, 42, who commands a battalion in Germany; Major Richard Allen, 34, who is stationed in Washington, D.C.; and Robert Darrell Schwartzman, who attends the College of William and Mary and has an assignment to teach sociology at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as soon as he graduates.

Following his graduation from CNC in December, with four years of ROTC training under his belt, Schwartzman will enter the Army and become a transportation officer at Fort Eustis. In June 1990, he will be assigned to Germany to serve in the Army for about three years.

He anticipates he will return to Fort Eustis after that to take an advanced transportation course required prior to promotion to captain.

Schwartzman has been prominent in area sports, including football and soccer. While a senior at Kecoughtan High School, he was named 1985 all-district and all-regional kicker by the Virginia High School League.

Schwartzman was captain of the CNC Soccer team last year and hopes to be captain again when play resumes in he fall.

He received prominence in soccer by being named to the All Dixie Conference, all-state and all-South region teams.